What timing. Just over a week ago I transitioned my HTC One over from Sense 5 to CyanogenMod, accepting the fact that I was sacrificing IR functionality in the process (and yes, that was something I used somewhat regularly). Now an update for Smart IR Remote has landed that adds IR functionality back to HTC Ones and Samsung Galaxy devices with custom ROMs installed, even if the ROM lacks IR drivers. The only catch, and it's a small one, is that you have to remain rooted for it to work.

As you can see above, Smart IR works just fine on my HTC One running the CyanogenMod 10.1. It does this by including the native libraries that interact with the IR blaster and using those. Later versions of CyanogenMod should already have this native support for IR built in, but since I prefer to stick with the stable option, I was out of luck for the time being. No longer.

On top of that, the app is currently on sale for $6.99, roughly a 30% discount. The good version of the app that works with both the S4 and the HTC One, that is. The HTC One exclusive version still costs $9.99, but you don't want to pick that one up anyway.

Born and raised in the rural South, Bertel knows what it's like to live without 4G LTE - or 3G, for that matter. The only things he likes sweeter than his tea are his gadgets, and while few objects burn more than a metal phone on a summer day, he prefers them that way anyway.

Comments

MMS and group texting issues in the latest CM builds are almost forcing me to switch back to stock. :(

akellar

Yeah that's definitely related to this article

Michael Pahl

Seeing as this app was updated to support ROMs like CM its not exactly a huge stretch now is it?

Brad

I've switched back to stock on my s3 for the first time since I got the phone (lasted maybe 2 weeks originally) and I hate it. It is nice to actually get MMS, though... Stoked for my Moto X since I'm keeping it stock, but it's pretty vanilla - like CM

J3R3MY_H

I recently did a ROM comparison on my S3 and ended up choosing Slimbean. Phone is rock solid and everything works.

Brad

MMS worked, but I had to set it to not automatically download. and it was slow. I'm just keeping stock til nov 1 when I can upgrade. Thought they were going to let me oct 1

J3R3MY_H

Slimbean was slow? No offense, but I'm calling user error on that claim.

Michael Pahl

No he's saying MMS was slow, as in takes an hour to send a picture message over a rock solid connection.

Brad

exactly...

herbivoor

I bought an IR blaster to use in the headphone jack of my Nexus 4 a while ago, but couldn't find any apps that would make it work. Is this one for me? Or are there other ones worth to check out?

http://bertelking.com/ Bertel King, Jr.

Sorry, this app only works with the built-in IR blasters on the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy devices.

herbivoor

Too bad. Luckily it was just 10 euros. Thanks for the reply.

jonathan3579

I just love the remote app for the One. It is above and beyond my favorite out of the recents phones I've owned. (S4 and G2)

It says it's only to control your DSLR, but I figured that it might just work with a TV if I could find the right app.
Haven't had a whole lot of time on my hands to play with it but couldn't find any apps that do this unfortunately.

Also, please note that I had to take my Nexus 4 out of it's bumper for it to fit, so if your phone has a case you might need to take it out to use this.